Putin Breaks Silence on Ukraine Peace
Russia's President Outlines Demands for Ending Conflict
Key Points
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that peace with Ukraine can only be achieved when Russia's objectives are met.
- Putin did not specify what these objectives were.
- Putin's comments come as fighting continues in eastern Ukraine.
- Western leaders have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have imposed sanctions on Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to continue fighting until Ukraine is free from Russian occupation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that peace with Ukraine will only take place when "we achieve our objectives." Putin made the comments during a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday. He did not specify what these objectives were.
Putin's comments come as fighting continues in eastern Ukraine. Western leaders have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have imposed sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to continue fighting until Ukraine is free from Russian occupation.
Background
In July, as he secretly readied an invasion of Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine sent a very different signal in.
Attention in the Ukrainian capital has been fixed squarely on the mutiny of the Wagner Group, its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and its consequences for Vladimir Putin and the Russian military.
For months, the world was left guessing about what Russian President Vladimir Putin was up to with Ukraine. Western leaders warned that an invasion was likely as he deployed some 100,000 troops to the border, but Putin insisted he had no plans to attack.
Then, on February 24, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sending tanks and troops across the border in what he called a "special military operation" to "denazify" the country.
The invasion has been met with fierce resistance from the Ukrainian military and people, and has drawn condemnation from around the world.
Analysis
Putin's comments on Tuesday are the first time he has spoken publicly about peace with Ukraine since the invasion began.
It is unclear what Putin's objectives are in Ukraine. He has previously said that he wants to "demilitarize" and "denazify" the country, but it is not clear what that means in practice.
It is also unclear whether Putin is serious about peace talks. He has repeatedly said that he is open to negotiations, but he has also said that he will not give up any of the territory that Russia has occupied in Ukraine.
Conclusion
The future of the conflict in Ukraine is uncertain. Putin has said that he will not give up any of the territory that Russia has occupied, but it is unclear whether he is serious about peace talks.
The Ukrainian government has said that it will continue to fight until Ukraine is free from Russian occupation.
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